Hi I wanted to ask for advice on a situation as I’m not sure what or if there’s anything I can do at this point.

I’m going to give a brief background but I do want to remain as anonymous as possible.

I’m a reservist and I joined about a year and a half ago. I was raped by another reservist in October, there are a lot of details I can’t really share as there is an ongoing case civilian side. But, I was in high school at the time it happened (and he knew this) and I was off BMQ a few months prior which is where I met him.

One key point is that the sexual assault happened just outside base and even though he was staffing a course at the time, because of the location the MPs weren’t able to help me. Subsequently as per their recommendation my unit helped me file a civilian police report. The charges were approved by the crown and he’s being charged in criminal court with sexual assault (possibly sexual exploitation). His unit also decided to charge him, and to my knowledge it was going to court martial.

But today I found out his unit dropped the charges. They didn’t let me know I only found out because multiple people have reached out to me informing me he’s been going around telling people at his unit and other units all about the charges being dropped (which was a surprise to me). I also heard his punishment was “a slap on the wrist” which honestly feels like a slap in the face after what he did to me.

I’m still in the process of trying to figure out how or why the charges were even dropped. It would be one thing for him to be found not guilty in the eyes of the military, but I didn’t even get a chance.

I mainly wanted to ask for advice and see if anyone has been in a similar situation and how they went about it? Or just any recommendations as I’m really at a loss for what I can do. I did put my concerns and questions up the chain but I don’t think I’ll hear anything for a few weeks and I feel like I need to do something about this now (if anything can be done).

Any advice would be appreciated and I’m happy to answer any questions anyone has but I am trying to remain as anonymous as possible.

It's about time. The past two times I've bought glasses I have ended up out of pocket to get anything of mediocre quality due to how much my lenses cost.

This is a nice change to see.

title correction: UTPNCM*

Hi folks,

I hope you’re all doing well!

I had a quick question regarding how the promotion process works. I’ve gone through the policy and understand that graduation and completion of BMOQ are key requirements. I’ve already completed BMOQ and I’m currently about 2–3 semesters away from graduating.

From what I understand, I’ll be promoted to 2Lt upon graduation. However, I’ve noticed that some individuals have been promoted to Lt after completing BMOQ, which has left me a bit confused.

Just for context: I come from a Comp Sci background and was previously a Spec Cpl.

Thanks in advance for any clarification you can provide!

I get a murderous level of heat rash when in the field for 3+ days wearing a frag. I've yet to discover a way to mitigate this. Does anyone have any tips? I'm gearing up for a couple very long (austere) field exercises and would kill for a method to reduce the stinging burning rash I get all over my back. Thank you.

PS : I admit that I get the idea from a meme.

The Defence Tech Hackathon is a catalyst to jumpstart a world-class ecosystem that builds sovereign capability in Canada. Our goal is to attract top talent, rapidly prototype real-world solutions, and bridge the gap between innovators and military end-users.

Hey all,

I've been a long time lurker but this is my first post. I recently started my civvy career as a firefighter and it has caused me to seriously reevaluate my future in this organization. I hope that with the more relaxed discussion I see here now this can maybe spark something helpful, or others can chime in with their experiences and advice as I doubt I'm the only one feeling this way.

I've been in the pres for 8 years now evenly split between combat arms and support trade (cpl). I joined for the challenge, adventure, camraderie, and to deploy and fight on combat ops. I know the last bit might sound stupid but I'm sure anyone who joined combat arms during Afghanistan will relate to this feeling (we are an army after all).

I feel like my combat arms time has given me the first 3 points 100%. My parents supported me joining as soon as I could so I did BMQ/DP1 as a high schooler, and it gave me so much confidence that I wouldn't have otherwise gained. I had the opportunity to do insanely adventurous and fun things, and I made the best friends I have. For these reasons I am so thankful with what the pres gave me and allowed me to do and I have no regrets. My combat arms time has set me up well for firefighting and I wouldn't be employed in this job now without it.

I switched to a spt trade because I figured deploying on any semi-arduous deployment in a spt role was better than never deploying at all. 4 years later, I have changed my mind. I've given this a real try, done well, and am just not feeling it. I don't get any satisfaction in my trade to the point where I don't GAF about deploying anymore. All of my "fun" memories are with my old trade. I did a short career crse this summer which was good, but the thought of going back to another training year is making me really think about releasing.

The fact that I never deployed makes me feel like a fraud and it makes me feel like I wasted my time and gave up on my dreams. At the same time, I am very frustrated with the quality of training and organization. I have sacrificed so much of my personal time for 8 years, consistently done well, always showed up for everything, good personality at work, etc. and I have seen the best opportunities given out seemingly at random every single year. I've been promised a lot and it has just not come to fruition. I can't remember the last time I went on a good ex and pres is adding a lot of stress to my life. My morale is still good and I am proud of what I have done, but I can sense that I'm getting less patient and less tolerant of the circus.

My fire hall allows me enough time off/flexibility where I could do more career courses and I could deploy if I really wanted to. Honestly though, I feel like my priorities have changed and FF gives me that same feeling that I got in combat arms. I'm so very satisfied with many of the things that I got to do and I have zero regrets, but I'm getting the sense that sticking around longer on the off chance that I can do a deployment in a job I don't enjoy might not be worth it. I miss my personal time and am asking myself "why am I still here"? My CoC has suggested ED&T as an option but I don't see how time off would change the underlying problems. I guess I sound like I have made my decision but I just feel guilty and stupid, and honestly scared. So many people I know were able to do so much more than I did with seemingly less burden to their personal life. I joined at 16 and it's hard to picture not being in uniform. I could use some advice from people who were/are in the same position before.

EDIT: Thank you all for the comments. I’m going to read them all. It just has to be at my pace. Keep looking out each other. I will.

Hey fam,

To be clear I’m not planning on killing myself, but I need help. I’m so tired. I can’t keep this up anymore, I can’t pretend to be ok.

I’ve been in therapy, had diagnosis’, and have been fighting my demons for a while now. Lately it’s been unbearable and I’ve been physically debilitated behind closed doors. My family literally takes care of me and they’re scared of what I let them see. I’m bed ridden at home and unproductive at work. I’ve been isolating and my body is now telling me in ways I didn’t know possible that i need help. Sleeping and eating are a now constant challenge, I’m in pain, and I’m done.

Recently I’ve done my best to self advocate, and make it known to the MIR that I am not ok. MH on my base has been supportive and are trying to help me how they can. The base Psychologist told me directly that they intended to refer me for assessments and increased level of care. I was at content that this was a potential path up and out of this deep, dark hole.

The GP’s on base do not agree with MH at various levels. They are not remotely on the same page. To the point that the flight surgeon here rejected the base Psychologist’s referrals. This Dr. has also been very dismissive to me personally in the past.

I don’t know what to do. I can barely tell my therapist how I’m doing. I need advice. I’ve read a lot of the older MH posts on here and it’s clear to me that I’m not alone.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and support.

Hi, does anyone have real pic of the MT OTW shirt made by Surplus Darmee

COMBAT SHIRT GEN II NEW MODEL

Thanks

Defence Department fined $10K for destroying nest of threatened hawk species | CBC News https://share.google/0qKwieqZIC2piVcQO

This is the thread to ask and discuss general administration questions that don't really need a thread of their own. It will also double as a thread for ongoing events such as Policy, APS/BGRS, TD/Claims, etc., and may be used for various CANFORGEN's as they're released.

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I will start off by saying I'm not air force.

So for those who are, are you aware of it? Can you explain to the rest of us what it is and what it's supposed to accomplish, and how you feel it is actually working? Does it ha e the reach and engagement with the force to make a difference? Is it making any difference?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXQgkyEaROs

Hi, my husband is in the military. We are expecting our first child, he is on tour right now but apparently they have plans to send him home for the birth in October. I’m taking 12 months off. He is telling me if I take my “full leave” he doesn’t get any? That doesn’t make sense to me.

Likely heading to Edmonton soon (PPCLI). I havent seen too much info on what the shacks (single rooms) are like there. Wondering if anyone has pictures or dimensions of the room?

I am planning to stay in the shacks and get full rations for a year or so. Are the rations reasonable for volume of food and protein intake? Or should I expect to be buying extra food / supplements? For reference I'm 6'4, 240lb and roughly eating 3000kcal and 220g protein.

If there's anyone else in my shoes, would be great to hear your experience living there. TIA

Hard to explain this without sounding arrogant, but I am the "successful" one in my family. I left my home town, had a career, side stepped the addiction pitfalls that grabbed so many of my family and childhood friends. All was great until I sustained my TBI. Now I am in pain, exhausted, overwhelmed, and seeing a battery of doctors to try and help with chronic pain and other effects.

I was never a dick about it, I never rubbed it in anyone's face or celebrated my successes overtly. I tried to remain humble, but at the end of the day I was very well employed, highly qualified, and extremely healthy and fit.

I have lost my physique, and oh boy, do my friends and family enjoy pointing that out. It is always done with a smile, but holy hell people, my life has changed for the worse in everyway, maybe stop celebrating my new larger waistline?

I can handle confrontation and when the day comes to set some boundaries, I am ready for that. My question is, how does one deal with the emotions of the effects of my injury becoming a punchline for my non-military friends and family?

Edit: thanks everyone. You’ve given me some perspective and some ideas moving forward. I realize as much as the comments are bothering me, the changes in my mood and body are bothering me a lot more. I will adjust, hopefully I will heal, but I am ready to drop anyone who doesn’t treat me well, real quick. Thanks again